India A secured a tense three-wicket victory over South Africa A in the first four-day match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Chasing 275 for victory, India A resumed at 119 for four and reached the target at 278 for seven, thanks to a dynamic 90 from captain Rishabh Pant and an unbroken 62-run eighth-wicket partnership between Anshul Kamboj (37 not out) and Manav Suthar (20 not out). The second match begins Thursday at the BCCI Centre of Excellence grounds in Bengaluru.

Pant, returning to red-ball cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, dominated the morning session alongside Ayush Badoni (34). The pair added 63 runs in just 12 overs, adopting an aggressive approach from the outset. Pant struck the day’s first ball—a short delivery from pacer Okuhle Cele—for a six, followed by two guided fours to third man, setting a brisk pace of six runs per over. The fifth-wicket stand shifted momentum firmly toward India A until South Africa A countered with increased short-pitched bowling.

The hosts lost three wickets in the first session for 101 runs, slipping to 216 for seven by lunch. Pant fell for 90, caught at second slip while attempting a pull-off of Tiaan van Vuuren after being dropped on 80 earlier. Badoni and Tanush Kotian (23) also perished to bouncers, but the lower order held firm. Kamboj, struck on the helmet by van Vuuren, responded with a six and four off the same bowler, while Suthar survived a shoulder blow. The pair negotiated edges and pressure, sealing victory when Suthar lofted Prenelan Subrayen over mid-wicket for four.

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Pant’s innings, combined with his wicketkeeping effort over 139.3 overs in the match, will likely influence national selectors ahead of India’s senior Test series against South Africa later this month. The series serves as crucial preparation for emerging talents on both sides, with India A demonstrating resilience under pressure in a low-scoring contest decided by late-order grit.

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